Abstract: Methods for assembly of optical transceivers. In one example, the method is performed in connection with an optical transceiver that includes a transmitter optical subassembly and a receiver optical subassembly, as well as structure that defines a pair of ports with which the transmitter optical subassembly and receiver optical subassembly, respectively, are to be aligned. This example of the method involves positioning the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly in a desired position relative to each other. The transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly are then fixed in the desired position. Next, the transmitter optical subassembly is aligned with one of the ports, and the receiver optical subassembly is aligned with the other port. The alignment of both the transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly with their respective ports is performed in a single operation.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a connector structure includes a housing that defines a chamber, a plurality of magnetic cores positioned within the chamber, and a means for positioning the plurality of magnetic cores so that a first magnetic core of the plurality of magnetic cores is not in physical contact with a second magnetic core of the plurality of magnetic cores.

Abstract: A transceiver module that utilizes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment structure for dealing with electromagnetic interference generated within the transceiver module. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module includes a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing, and an EMI shield disposed about the printed circuit board. In this example embodiment, the printed circuit board includes electronic circuitry and a plurality of differential signal lines. Further, the EMI shield includes a body having a slot, a plurality of fingers on at least one edge of the body, and tabs that are operative to connect the body to the printed circuit board. The slot of the EMI shield receives the printed circuit board such that the differential signal lines of the printed circuit board pass through the slot. The fingers of the EMI shield enable the body to maintain a biased contact with the housing.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a collar clip includes a body that is sized and configured to partially encircle a shell of an optoelectronic transceiver module. Each extended element in a pair of the extended elements is separated from the other extended element in the pair by a cavity. Each cavity is configured to receive a portion of a corresponding structure of the shell.

Abstract: In one example, an optical subassembly positioning plate is provided that includes a substantially flat body that defines at least one edge. A port is defined in the body. The port is configured to receive and secure an optical subassembly in an x-direction and a y-direction when said optical subassembly positioning plate is positioned within an optoelectronic transceiver module. A plurality of fingers is defined along at least one edge of the body. Each of the plurality of fingers is configured to contact a shell of the optoelectronic transceiver module so as to bias a flange of the optical subassembly against a portion of the shell of the optoelectronic transceiver module such that the optical subassembly is substantially retained in a z-direction when the optical subassembly positioning plate is positioned within the optoelectronic transceiver module.

Abstract: A transceiver module, such as a copper transceiver module, that utilizes an example connector structure for receiving the plug of a communication cable. The example connector structure is configured to house a plurality of electronic components in such a way as to efficiently utilize the space within the connector structure itself. In one example embodiment, a connector structure for use in a copper transceiver module includes a body, a first plurality of conductive elements attached to the body, and first and second cavities defined in the body. The first plurality of conductive elements is configured to electrically connect with a corresponding second plurality of electrical elements on a plug of a communications cable. A first plurality of electrical cores and a printed circuit board are positioned in the first cavity. A second plurality of electrical cores is positioned in the second cavity.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to aligning optical components with three degrees of translational freedom. A lens pin, a lens base, and a molded package are aligned in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction such that the signal strength of optical signals transferred between a lens included in the lens pin and the molded package is optimized. The lens pin is mechanically coupled to the lens base to fix the position of the lens relative to the molded package in the first direction. Subsequently, the lens base and the molded package are realigned in the second and third directions such that the signal strength is again optimized. The lens base is mechanically coupled to the molded package to fix the position of the lens base relative to the molded package in the second and third directions.

Abstract: An active cable that communicates over much of its length using one or more optical fibers, but which includes at integrated electrical connector at least one of its ends. The cable may be an electrical to optical cable, and electrical to electrical cable, or one of many other potential configurations.

Abstract: A transceiver module that utilizes an apparatus for providing chassis ground to a printed circuit board located within a connector structure of the transceiver module. In one example embodiment, a ground clip for use in a transceiver module includes a cross-arm, a pair of arms connected to the cross-arm, a pair of fingers each connected to one of the pair of arms, and at least one protrusion connected to the cross-arm. Each finger is configured to be inserted into a hole in a connector structure and configured to be electrically connected to ground contacts of a printed circuit board. The at least one protrusion is configured to bias against, and make reliable electrical contact with, a portion of a transceiver module that is electrically connected to a housing of the transceiver module.

Abstract: A system for retaining an optical subassembly in a shell of a communications module is disclosed. The system reduces stress imposed on a hermetic package of the optical subassembly during lead interconnection procedures while ensuring thermal contact of the package with a thermal pad mounted in the shell. In one embodiment, the system includes a spring clip comprising a head portion that defines a seating surface, as well as first and second arms. The seating surface is shaped to engage an outer surface of a nosepiece of the optical subassembly. The first and second arms extend from the head portion so as to define a “U”-shaped configuration with the head portion. The head portion is shaped so as to provide a resilient force against a flange of the nosepiece when the flange and spring clip are received in a groove defined in the shell during assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector that is integrated within an active cable at one end of the active cable, wherein the active cable is configured to communicate over much of its length using one or more optical fibers. The cable may be an electrical to optical cable, and electrical to electrical cable, or one of many other potential configurations.

Abstract: A transceiver module that utilizes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment structure for dealing with electromagnetic interference generated within the transceiver module. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module includes a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing, and an EMI shield disposed about the printed circuit board. In this example embodiment, the printed circuit board includes electronic circuitry and a plurality of differential signal lines. Further, the EMI shield includes a body having a slot, a plurality of fingers on at least one edge of the body, and tabs that are operative to connect the body to the printed circuit board. The slot of the EMI shield receives the printed circuit board such that the differential signal lines of the printed circuit board pass through the slot. The fingers of the EMI shield enable the body to maintain a biased contact with the housing.

Abstract: A transceiver module that utilizes a pivot lever to ground a shielded cable that is plugged into the transceiver module. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module includes a housing, a jack, and a movable pivot lever. The housing is operative to be electrically connected to chassis ground when the transceiver module is received within a host port. The jack is defined in the housing and operative to receive a shielded plug. The pivot lever is configured to allow removal of the transceiver module from within the host port. Further, the pivot lever is configured to be in electrical contact with both the housing and a conductive element of the shielded plug received by the jack such that a chassis ground is established between the housing and the shielded plug.

Abstract: A transceiver module, such as a copper transceiver module, that utilizes an example connector structure for receiving the plug of a communication cable. The example connector structure is configured to house a plurality of electronic components in such a way as to efficiently utilize the space within the connector structure itself In one example embodiment, a connector structure for use in a copper transceiver module includes a body, a first plurality of conductive elements attached to the body, and first and second cavities defined in the body. The first plurality of conductive elements is configured to electrically connect with a corresponding second plurality of electrical elements on a plug of a communications cable. A first plurality of electrical cores and a printed circuit board are positioned in the first cavity. A second plurality of electrical cores is positioned in the second cavity.

Abstract: A mounting system for securing a printed circuit board in a communication module, such as an optical transceiver module, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the transceiver module includes an outer shell and an enclosure that cooperate to contain the printed circuit board therein. The mounting system comprises first and second pins, wherein each pin includes a first end passing through respective holes coaxially defined in both the shell and the printed circuit board. The pins also each have a second end that includes a head. The head is positioned in a recess defined in an exterior portion of the shell such that the head does not interfere with insertion or removal of the transceiver module from a slot of a host device. Further, the second pin is electrically connected with both the outer shell and enclosure to prevent emissions of electromagnetic interference from the distal end of the transceiver.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a compact connector that accommodates a standard cable connector. By reducing the number of components at the interface, the invention allows a small form factor module to accommodate a cable connector that has thus been accommodated only by modules having larger dimensions. The device of the invention includes an electrically conductive lead protruding from a first outer surface of a connector housing and a shell disengageably coupled to the connector housing so as to form a cavity with the lead positioned therein, wherein the first outer surface forms an inner wall of the cavity. The invention also pertains to a module containing electrical components, including a lead, and a shell designed to hold a cable connector in contact with the lead. If the shell is made of a material that blocks electromagnetic radiation, the compact connector also serves as an EMI shield.

Abstract: An integrated latching mechanism for use with a user pluggable electronic module, such as an opto-electronic transceiver module, is disclosed. The latching mechanism allows the user to selectively latch the module within a corresponding host port by manipulation of a pivot lever. Movement of the pivot lever causes a locking pin to extend and latch the module within the port. Conversely, movement of the pivot lever can disengage the locking pin and thereby allow the user to extract the module from within the port. The pivot lever can further include a biasing member that biases the pivot lever in a locked position.

Abstract: An EMI shielding mechanism for use with an electronic module, such as an opto-electronic transceiver module, is disclosed. The EMI shielding mechanism includes a plurality of shielding tabs disposed on an outside face of the module. When the module is fully disposed in a port of a host device, the shielding tabs contact an edge of the port, thus reducing the amount of EMI radiation emitted form that edge. The shielding tabs are angled so that when the module is fully disposed in the port, a portion of the shielding tabs is inside the port and a portion is outside of the port. The angled shielding tabs provide a spring force which assists a user to extract the module from the port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with optical and electrical transceiver modules and, more specifically, to transceiver modules having an integrated cable detachment mechanism. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module includes a housing, a connector receptacle disposed within the housing, and a transfer mechanism connected to the housing. In this example embodiment, the connector receptacle is configured to receive a cable connector having a hood which partially encloses a detachment clip of the cable connector. Also in this example embodiment, the transfer mechanism is disposed such that when the cable connector is received within the connector receptacle, at least a portion of the transfer mechanism extends between the hood and the detachment clip of the cable connector.

Abstract: An integrated latching mechanism for use with a user pluggable electronic module, such as an opto-electronic transceiver module, is disclosed. The latching mechanism allows the user to selectively latch the module within a corresponding host port by manipulation of a pivot lever. Movement of the pivot lever causes a locking pin to extend and latch the module within the port. Conversely, movement of the pivot lever can disengage the locking pin and thereby allow the user to extract the module from within the port. The pivot lever can further include a biasing member that biases the pivot lever in a locked position.